Despite the resolute and consistent arguments by Russia and other states, the United States and theRepublic of Korea have adopted a decision on the deployment of an American THAAD missile defence system in South Korea. This is a very alarming decision.

It is a fact that when discussions were launched on this issue, Russia persistently directed the attention of its partners to the dangerous consequences of this decision and urged them to abandon this unwise approach. Unfortunately, our appeals have been disregarded.

As a result, the United States and its allies continue to build up the Asian-Pacific segment of the US global ballistic missile defence system, which will disrupt the strategic balance in Asia Pacific and beyond.

These actions, whatever arguments may be used to justify them, have a patently negative impact on global strategic stability, to which Washington claims to be committed. These actions could also increase regional tensions and create new obstacles to the settlement of complicated issues on the Korean Peninsula, in particular its denuclearisation. We urge our partners to take into account the complex balance of forces in the region, review all the circumstances and opt against unwise actions that can do tragic and irremediable damage to the situation in Southeast Asia and beyond.